A glass of wine after the kids went to bed is one of the most relatable ways for moms to treat themselves. Weed, though, does not look as good on Instagram.

For this Vancouver-based mom, however, a joint is like her "glass of wine." To break the stigma, she took to social media and shared her experience.

A Joint To Close The Day

Caitlin Fladager likes to end her day with some weed, and she does not keep it secret. The 26-year-old uses Instagram to share how weed helped with her mental health.

Due to severe anxiety, she used to fight with her husband or snap at her kids. Since she started smoking marijuana, though, she feels like she can be a better mom and wife.

Smoking weed is legal in Canada, where she lives. Convinced of its benefits on mental health, the Instagram star has been suggesting it to other parents as well.

People have mixed reactions, ranging from curiosity through doubt to open contempt. By telling her story, Caitlin wants to show she is not a bad mother because of her habit. She wrote:

"I have never been the most patient with my two kids. Weed makes me a better mom, as I get a good night's sleep after I smoke. I wake up well-rested, and with a more clear mind."

Not Trying To Get High

A lot of people assume that if you smoke, it means you want to get high. Understandably, that would not be appropriate when caring for your children.

There are several benefits of marijuana on anxiety, though, and many use it as a tool to get better.

Though Caitlin mostly uses weed when her children are asleep, in case of anxiety episodes, she smokes even if they are up. She explained:

"When I smoke while my kids are up, which is rare, but it has happened, it is to calm myself. Not to get high, or to lay on the couch all day. It has helped me immensely with being a more patient mother, it has helped me gain the weight I needed to, and it has helped my insomniac self get some well-needed sleep at night."

What Is The Difference With Wine Culture?

While drinking a glass of wine is considered a joyous treat, people get judgmental about weed. Caitlin noticed it as she took a walk wearing her 'I smoke weed, then I do things' sweater. She confessed:

"It's really interesting when I wear the wine mom tank top I do have out, I get high fives from other moms, I get laughs, I get told 'awesome shirt, relatable'. But when I wear this one, it's a whole different story."

"It's so funny to me how frowned upon marijuana is. No one looks twice when a mom says she enjoys 'mom juice' aka wine after her kids are in bed. But when a mom says she smokes weed, it's a huge shock."

She turned to weed because drinking was not helping with her severe anxiety, and she wishes others would understand her situation. She wrote:

"You're a good mom, I'm a good mom. Smoking marijuana doesn't change that."

Wine Vs. Weed, An Eternal Debate

Both alcohol and marijuana are drugs, but people have very different preconceptions about the two substances. The truth is, the effects depend a lot on the single person.

Alcohol is more likely to cause an overdose. In fact, you would need to smoke hundreds of joints to get to that point.

Consuming alcohol also increases the risks of you getting hurt or hurting others. On the other hand, weed is related to lower levels of partner abuse.

While alcohol is more dangerous if you are driving, both substances increase the risk of accidents. Needless to say, when behind the wheel, both are a no-no.

Both drugs also have negative effects on memory and learning. Of course, you should avoid either substance if pregnant.

In short, none is completely harmless, but none is too bad if you do not abuse it.

What Does Society Say?

According to the American Addiction Centers, American thinks alcohol is more dangerous, more addictive, and more harmful for your health.

At the same time, most people think marijuana should be illegal, but not alcohol. In other words, the stigma against weed is still strong.

For some people, like Caitlin, smoking weed contributed to a better, healthier life. Without anxiety, she can function and be a better mom to her kids.

There is no real reason to judge someone more harshly because they prefer weed over alcohol. Unless someone is at risk of addiction or harm, just live and let live.